The State of Illinois has new regulations regarding the release of “animal that have received I-131 Treatments”: your cat will be ready to go home when his/her radiation level will be less than 0.5mR/hr at 1 meter. We estimate it will take approximately 5 days, but in some rare cases, maybe longer.
What happens if a cat gets I-131 twice?
Cats that still have elevated thyroid levels after I-131 treatment can be safely treated a second time if the thyroid levels remain high at least six months after the first injection. A very small percentage of cats may become permanently hypothyroid after I-131 treatment and will need to be on a thyroid supplement lifelong.
How long does it take for radioactive iodine to work on cats?
The cat will be in isolation for 3-8 days. 95% of the radioactive iodine is excreted via the cat’s urine, with lesser amounts through the feces. Exposure to radioactive urine poses risks to veterinary staff and caregivers; therefore careful removal of urine is necessary at an approved facility.
Can I-131 be used to treat thyroid cancer in cats?
Thyroid carcinomas can be treated via I-131, but much higher doses and longer hospitalization are required. If your cat is coming to our hospital for I-131 therapy, a scintigraphy will be recommended to confirm diagnosis and evaluate for features of thyroid cancer.
How long is the hospitalization period for radioiodine in cats?
The hospitalization period varies from cat to cat, but is generally - between 5-8 days. The effective half-life of the radioiodine (decay of radioactivity) can be quite variable depending upon each cat’s ability to excrete via the kidneys and the amount of time the radioiodine is bound to the thyroid.
How long does it take for thyroid medicine to start working in cats?
The majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. The advantages of radioactive iodine therapy are that the procedure most often cures hyperthyroidism, has no serious side effects, and does not require anesthesia.
How does I-131 work for cats?
I-131 works by radioactive destruction of the overactive thyroid gland, and thus, reduction of thyroid hormone. The radioactivity is excreted in the urine, feces, and saliva of the treated cats and they must be quarantined until the majority of the radioactivity is eliminated.
Can my cat be around other cats after radioactive iodine treatment?
There are no contact restrictions for this cat with other animals as this small amount of radiation has no impact in their relatively shorter lives with little exposure to other sources of radiation. They may safely share feeding bowls, cat beds and litter boxes.
Can I touch my cat after radioactive iodine treatment?
As for your dose, my primary concern—especially if you were allowing the cat to have direct, prolonged contact within the first week of release—would be the potentially contaminated materials that could result in your intake of radioactive 131I.
How long do cats live after radioactive iodine treatment?
“Studies have shown that cats treated with I-131 live longer than those treated with pills,” added Mosenco, citing a study where I-131-treated cats lived an average of four to five years following treatment, versus an average of only two years for cats on medication.
How much does I-131 treatment cost cat?
The cost for radio iodine therapy is generally a total fee of $1500- $1550, depending on the I131 dosage required for your cat's treatment. This includes the radio iodine itself, the cost of hospitalization, food, litter, and monitoring.
What is the life expectancy of a cat with hyperthyroidism?
The median survival times reported are 25 (iodine 131 treatment),1 24 (radioiodine treatment),2 and 48 months (iodine 131 treatment),3 with a more recent paper citing 14 months (carbimazole or methimazole treatment alone or in combination with thyroidectomy).
Can hyperthyroidism return after radioactive iodine cats?
This happens in approximately 5-10% of hyperthyroid cats treated with radioactive iodine. If it happens, hyperthyroidism may return, necessitating a second radioactive iodine treatment or one of the other treatment options. Occasionally, normal thyroid cells are also destroyed.
What is the best treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats?
How is hyperthyroidism in cats treated? One way to treat a cat with hyperthyroidism is with an oral medication that contains methimazole. The medication can be given life-long or to stabilize the cat before other treatment options, such as radioactive iodine therapy or surgery.
How long does it take for radioactive iodine to work in cats?
Most hyperthyroid cats respond fully to a single injection with radio-iodine. Their hyperthyroidism won't come back, and they don't need ongoing medication. Most cats respond to treatment within weeks, although some take up to 6 months to gain the full benefit.
Can you be around pets after radioactive iodine treatment?
It is safe to be around your cats after you are treated with radioiodine therapy because even if they are in your lap, the exposure is low. People do sweat out the radioiodine, but if you wash your hands regularly, that is very effective in washing away the small amount of contamination on your hands.
What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine for cats?
There are almost no side effects from radioiodine treatment. When your cat returns home, there may be a readjustment period while your cat's thyroid returns to normal function. Your cat may be quieter and less active . This is due to the metabolic rate returning to normal.
What is the I-131 in cats?
I-131 is a radioactive form of iodine, which the diseased thyroid takes up . Penetration is only 1-2 mm deep, which spares the underlying healthy thyroid cells. Your veterinarian will refer your cat to a specialist veterinary centre for treatment.
How long before radioactive iodine treatment can cats stop methimazole?
Stop medications and/or special diets: The cat will stop methimazole (Tapazole) or carbimazole or Hills Y/D (a prescription diet low in iodine) 7-10 days before radioactive iodine treatment.
What is the treatment for iodine in cats?
Radioactive Iodine Treatment (I-131) For Cats. Radioactive iodine (radioiodine or I-131) is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism which is the most common endocrine (hormonal) disorder to affect cats. It is estimated that 10% of cats over ten of cats over the age of ten will develop the disease. The disease is caused by a benign, ...
How does radioactive treatment work for cats?
How does radioactive treatment work? The thyroid gland uses iodine-which is in many types of food to make the thyroid hormones. Cats with hyperthyroidism have abnormal and hyperactive thyroid tissue as well as atrophied healthy thyroid tissue. I-131 is a radioactive form of iodine, which the diseased thyroid takes up.
What is cardiac thyrotoxicosis in cats?
Collectively called cardiac thyrotoxicosis. These are late manifestations of hyperthyroidism which highlight the importance of early diagnosis and bi-annual health checks in cats over the age of 7. High blood pressure (hypertension) is another common side effect of hyperthyroidism in cats.
How to treat hyperthyroidism in cats?
There are several treatment options for cats with hyperthyroidism which include: Prescription diet. Hills y/d is low in iodine, which is required by the thyroid gland to produce its hormones, low iodene=reduced hormone production. It can take a few weeks for this food to take effect. Medications.
How long is a cat in isolation?
The cat will be in isolation for 3-8 days. 95% of the radioactive iodine is excreted via the cat’s urine, with lesser amounts through the feces. Exposure to radioactive urine poses risks to veterinary staff and caregivers; therefore careful removal of urine is necessary at an approved facility.
Why is thyroid imaging important?
Thyroid imaging is the best way to assess tumor functionality and determine the size of the thyroid which will help planning the treatment . This is especially important because conventional doses I-131 treatment is not effective for thyroid carcinomas.
What is the most common endocrine disease in cats?
Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disease in the cat and affects about 10% of senior and geriatric cats. The majority of hyperthyroid cats (~95%) have benign thyroid adenomatous hyperplasia (or adenoma) involving one or both thyroid lobes at the time of diagnosis. Thyroid carcinoma (cancer) occurs in about 2-5% of the newly diagnosed cases. However, the incidence of thyroid carcinoma in cats treated with methimazole that are referred for I-131 therapy because of refractoriness to higher doses of methimazole, has dramatically increased.
How long after I-131 can I treat my cat?
Cats that still have elevated thyroid levels after I-131 treatment can be safely treated a second time if the thyroid levels remain high at least six months after the first injection.
What is iodine 131 for cats?
Veterinary Specialty Center provides iodine-131 treatment (I-131) for cats suffering from hyperthyroidism and thyroid carcinomas as an alternative to thyroid gland surgery. Radioiodine therapy is the least invasive, safest and most effective way to treat hyperthyroidism in cats.
How long does it take for a cat to get a thyroid shot?
Normal thyroid levels are usually reached between one and three months (sometimes up to five months) post-treatment. More than 95% of cats will be cured by a single injection. The remaining small percentage of cats can be treated a second time safely if the thyroid levels remain high six months after the injection.
How long does it take for thyroid to reach normal levels?
The I-131 does not travel more than 3 mm in the tissue so adjacent structures are not affected. Normal thyroid levels are usually reached within 1-3 months post-treatment.
How long does an I-131 stay in a hospital?
Due to the radioactive nature of the I-131, the patient is obligated to remain within the state-approved shielded facility at all times during the established days of hospitalization (approximately five days). Safety regulations do not allow any visitors in the treatment/housing area.
Can cats be treated with I-131?
Cats with renal failure or other chronic illnesses may not be the best candidates for I-131. If I-131 treatment is absolutely necessary, these patients should be stabilized as much as possible prior to treatment. In this way, we hope to avoid complications during hospitalization following the I-131 treatment.
How long does a cat stay in hospital after radioiodine?
During the hospitalization stay, which is usually 2-5 days, ...
How much does radioiodine cost for cats?
The cost for any treatment for feline hyperthyroidism is significant. The fee for radioiodine therapy ranges from $1,685 - $1,910, depending on how much drug is required to treat each patient (which also factors into the required length of hospitalization in the nuclear ward). This fee includes the radioiodine itself, the cost of hospitalization and monitoring, blood pressure measurements as needed throughout your cat’s stay, and any oral anti-anxiety medications or appetite stimulants required while hospitalized. Any additional treatments required during the hospitalization stay would result in additional fees. Boarding beyond the initial hospitalization period would also result in additional fees. While this is a higher upfront cost than other options, it is less expensive than other options over the lifetime of the cat. Radioiodine treatment generally results in fewer thyroid blood tests for the remainder of the cat’s life as well, which makes the treatment more cat-friendly from the patient’s point of view as well.
What is the appointment for a cat to be examined?
THE DAY OF YOUR CAT’S SCHEDULED TREATMENT. The morning of your cat’s scheduled treatment, you will have an appointment scheduled for your cat to be examined by Dr. Currigan. The doctor will then provide a presentation about the radioiodine procedure, including both your responsibilities regarding after care and ours while your cat is hospitalized.
What is included in the fee for a cat?
This fee includes the radioiodine itself, the cost of hospitalization and monitoring, blood pressure measurements as needed throughout your cat’s stay, and any oral anti-anxiety medications or appetite stimulants required while hospitalized.
What medication does a cat need to stay in a hospital?
DURING YOUR CAT’S STAY. Once admitted to our facility, your cat will receive a mild anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication that also helps to relax him or her. We want to be sure that the cat does not vomit the radioiodine once given.
How long do you have to wait to put a cardboard cat carrier in the trash?
If a cardboard carrier is used, and your cat should urinate (or defecate or vomit) in the carrier, necessitating disposing of the carrier, you will need to wait 81 days prior to putting the carrier in the trash until the level of radiation in the urine (or excrement) has reached a low enough level for routine dumping in the trash.
How long does it take for a cat to return home after radiation?
Once your cat’s radiation levels have declined below the maximum allowed by federal and state law prior to being released from the hospital (usually 1-5 days ), your cat is able to return home. However, your cat will still have a low amount of radiation in his or her body.
How long after I-131 injection can I go home?
Radiation levels are monitored until they are low enough for the patient to go home, 4-5 days after admission. The side effects of the injection are minimal.
How does I-131 work?
I-131 works by radioactive destruction of the overactive thyroid gland, and thus, reduction of thyroid hormone. The radioactivity is excreted in the urine, feces, and saliva of the treated cats and they must be quarantined until the majority of the radioactivity is eliminated.
What is the best treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats?
I-131 therapy is an effective treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats. In approximately 95% of cases, the disease is cured after one injection, which is given under the skin. Iodine is an element required for normal health and is primarily used by the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.
How old is the cat in Pet Sematary?
The 13-year-old gray cat, named for her doppelgänger in the film Pet Sematary, was drinking more water than usual and was abnormally excitable. Her devoted owners, Lauren Catullo and Rianna Taylor, noticed the changes immediately. Thankfully, Church’s yearly veterinary exam was right around the corner.
Where is I-131 excreted?
The rest of the I-131 is excreted in the urine and feces. When the I-131 is taken up by the thyroid gland, radiation is released which kills the thyroid tumor cells.
Can a cat be scheduled for I-131?
If the information is sufficient and non-thyroidal disease is not evident, the cat will be scheduled for I-131 treatment. If any other testing is required, the clinician will discuss this with the owner. Other tests usually can be completed on the appointment day.
Can cats take thyroid medication?
No other medication is required after successful treatment.
Radioiodine Procedures Pre-Referral Data
Procedure
- Our protocol includes an imaging study of the thyroid prior to the I-131 therapy. Not only will the scintigraphic study confirm the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in cats that do not have a palpable thyroid nodule, but it will also identify a relapse of hyperthyroidism following a thyroidectomy. It will also evaluate for the possibility of ectopic thyroid tissue. The scintigraphic study is usually d…
Post-Treatment Procedures
- At the time of release, the radiologist will meet with the owner and explain the post-treatment procedures. For the first two weeks following treatment: 1. Limit close contact (holding close to your own neck, sleeping next to) with your cat to a maximum of 30 minutes per day per person. 2. Keep your cat indoors. Scoop urine and fecal clumps from the litter box twice daily. Use a flusha…
Follow-Up with Referring Veterinarian
- Normal thyroid levels are usually reached between one and three months (sometimes up to five months) post-treatment. More than 95% of cats will be cured by a single injection. The remaining small percentage of cats can be treated a second time safely if the thyroid levels remain high six months after the injection. Follow-up blood work and T4 level...